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Admission Requirements

The application deadline FOR Fall 2016 is Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Late applications may be considered on a space available basis. Applicants must have the following items completed in order to be eligible for an interview for the MSNA program:

Minimum of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school. BS/BSN in nursing is strongly preferred. Other applicants i.e. BS, DC, MD, BA, DDS, etc. may also apply, but you must also be an RN.

Minimum of 1 year of critical care (Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac/Neuro/Thoracic/Shock-Trauma preferred), SICU, MICU, NICU/PICU acceptable. Applicants with experience solely in NICU/PICU or with less than 1 year of critical experience may apply, but may not be selected for an interview at the MSNA Director’s discretion. Critical care experience within the last 3 years is required.

Minimum 3.0 GPA, including a minimum 3.0 GPA in core sciences

GRE scores on file from within the last 5 years

All college transcripts

Three letters of reference from healthcare workers and/or academic professors who can attest to your character and work performance

Current résumé

Current RN license in good standing without evidence of prior or current restrictions

Successful completion of CCRN certification is highly encouraged

Philosophy statement describing why you want to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Current PALS certification (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

Current ACLS certification (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

The following titers - no more than 3 years old: Hep B, Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

Physical and Mental Health Certificate (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

The applicant must be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

An applicant of the program must be able to fulfill the job description and duties of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. A candidate for the program must have abilities and skills in five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. The following skills are required, with or without accommodation.

Observation: Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient's bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform a physical examination are required. Functional vision, hearing and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient's condition and to elicit information from computerized monitors, and through procedures regularly required in a physical examination, such as inspection, auscultation and palpation.
Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and health care settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work in teams.

Motor: The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g. palpation, auscultation, drawing blood or starting intravenous lines) is required. Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide care to patients, including the ability to help move or lift them. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments and must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and hospital.

Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. Long periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

Intellectual: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize, both in quiet environments and in areas where distractions, noise, and other stressors are present. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of CRNAs, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend graphics displays of physiologic data, distinguish artifact on monitor displays, understand three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates must be able to read and understand medical and nursing literature. In order to complete the degree, candidates must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely and often critical fashion in problem-solving and patient care.

Behavioral and social attributes: Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team is essential. The ability to effectively function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required.

Basic typing and computer skills are required, with knowledge of Powerpoint(R) and Microsoft Word(R) strongly encouraged.

Related Links

Admission Requirements

The application deadline FOR Fall 2016 is Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Late applications may be considered on a space available basis. Applicants must have the following items completed in order to be eligible for an interview for the MSNA program:

Minimum of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school. BS/BSN in nursing is strongly preferred. Other applicants i.e. BS, DC, MD, BA, DDS, etc. may also apply, but you must also be an RN.

Minimum of 1 year of critical care (Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac/Neuro/Thoracic/Shock-Trauma preferred), SICU, MICU, NICU/PICU acceptable. Applicants with experience solely in NICU/PICU or with less than 1 year of critical experience may apply, but may not be selected for an interview at the MSNA Director’s discretion. Critical care experience within the last 3 years is required.

Minimum 3.0 GPA, including a minimum 3.0 GPA in core sciences

GRE scores on file from within the last 5 years

All college transcripts

Three letters of reference from healthcare workers and/or academic professors who can attest to your character and work performance

Current résumé

Current RN license in good standing without evidence of prior or current restrictions

Successful completion of CCRN certification is highly encouraged

Philosophy statement describing why you want to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Current PALS certification (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

Current ACLS certification (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

The following titers - no more than 3 years old: Hep B, Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

Physical and Mental Health Certificate (Due upon acceptance into the MSNA program)

The applicant must be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

An applicant of the program must be able to fulfill the job description and duties of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. A candidate for the program must have abilities and skills in five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. The following skills are required, with or without accommodation.

Observation: Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient's bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform a physical examination are required. Functional vision, hearing and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient's condition and to elicit information from computerized monitors, and through procedures regularly required in a physical examination, such as inspection, auscultation and palpation.
Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and health care settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work in teams.

Motor: The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g. palpation, auscultation, drawing blood or starting intravenous lines) is required. Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide care to patients, including the ability to help move or lift them. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments and must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and hospital.

Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. Long periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

Intellectual: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize, both in quiet environments and in areas where distractions, noise, and other stressors are present. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of CRNAs, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend graphics displays of physiologic data, distinguish artifact on monitor displays, understand three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates must be able to read and understand medical and nursing literature. In order to complete the degree, candidates must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely and often critical fashion in problem-solving and patient care.

Behavioral and social attributes: Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team is essential. The ability to effectively function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required.

Basic typing and computer skills are required, with knowledge of Powerpoint(R) and Microsoft Word(R) strongly encouraged.